So, you wish to attempt Swiss chard? You are in the fitting place! Learn to lower and prepare dinner this vibrant leafy inexperienced, and discover our favourite Swiss chard recipes.
All of us go loopy over spinach and kale, however when was the final time you cooked Swiss chard? This vibrant leafy inexperienced is certainly one of my favourite greens to work with. It’s endlessly versatile – my go-to Swiss chard recipes vary from smoky Mojo bowls to a lemony pasta – and its stems are simply as edible as its darkish inexperienced leaves. As a result of I believe we might all be cooking it extra usually, I needed to share slightly Swiss chard 101 at this time. For those who’ve by no means labored with chard earlier than, I hope the following tips and recipes will encourage you to attempt it. And when you’re already a Swiss chard professional, I hope a recipe right here will encourage you to arrange it in a brand new method. There’s no restrict to what Swiss chard can do!
However first, what’s Swiss chard?
Good query! Swiss chard is a leafy vegetable that’s intently associated to beets. The truth is, when you’ve cooked with beet greens earlier than, you’ll discover that chard has lots of similarities. The mature leaves are lush and comparatively coarse once they’re uncooked, however they wilt down superbly once they’re braised or sautéed. Their earthy taste pairs rather well with garlic, nuts, dried fruits like currants and raisins, and acids like lemon juice and vinegar.
Chard stems are edible, too, so don’t toss them while you’re cooking the leaves! If I’m making sautéed Swiss chard, I merely add the stems to the pan a couple of minutes earlier than I add the leaves in order that they’ve an opportunity to melt. Additionally they pickle actually properly, so that they’re an effective way so as to add crunch to salads, sandwiches, and bowls. The stems within the photographs listed below are crimson, however that’s not the one method you’ll discover them on the farmers market or grocery retailer. Relying on the range, chard might need pale inexperienced, gold, crimson, and even striped stems. All are scrumptious!
The best way to Cook dinner Swiss Chard
Once I purchase an enormous bunch of inexperienced, crimson, or rainbow chard, I virtually at all times prepare dinner the leaves. For me, they’re slightly spongy and difficult to make use of uncooked in salads, although child chard, if it’s accessible, is a superb salad base.
The best solution to prepare dinner chard is to sauté it. Right here’s my straightforward technique:
First, prep the chard. Slice the leaves off the robust stems, and lower the stems into 1/4-inch slices. Stack the leaves on high of each other and coarsely chop them.
Subsequent, prepare dinner the stems. Warmth slightly olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the chard stems and prepare dinner for about 2 minutes, or till they begin to soften.
Then, add the leaves, some sliced garlic, salt, and pepper, and prepare dinner till the leaves wilt, about one other 2 minutes.
Lastly, season and serve. Squeeze the wilted chard with lemon juice and serve it as a aspect dish. Discover extra of my favourite Swiss chard recipes and serving ideas beneath!
Different Favourite Swiss Chard Recipes
Easy sautéed Swiss chard is a straightforward, wholesome, and scrumptious aspect dish, however there are many different methods to serve this inexperienced. These Swiss chard recipes and serving ideas are a few of my favorites:
How do you want to make use of Swiss chard? Let me know within the feedback!
Extra Vegetable Fundamentals
For those who love this easy Swiss chard recipe, attempt cooking certainly one of these greens subsequent:
Sautéed Swiss Chard
Serves 4
- 2 bunches Swiss chard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, extra to style
- Lemon wedge, for squeezing
- Freshly floor black pepper
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Slice the stems off the chard leaves and chop the stems into 1/4-inch slices. Coarsely chop the leaves.
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Warmth the oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the chard stems and prepare dinner for 1 to 2 minutes, or till they start to melt. Add the chard leaves, garlic, salt, and several other grinds of pepper, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, or till the leaves are wilted.
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Flip off the warmth, squeeze slightly lemon juice over the chard, and toss. Season to style and serve.
